Relative Advantages and Limitations of Model Organisms

Question 1

Excellent genetics and Genes can be easily cloned.

Answer 1

Yeast

Question 2

Powerful molecular techniques.

Answer 2

Yeast

Question 3

Possess all basic eukaryotic cell organelles.

Answer 3

Yeast

Question 4

Limitations is
1. unicellular
2. no distinct tissues.
3. embryological manipulations difficult
4. targeted gene disruption still difficult although possible.

Answer 4

Yeast

Question 5

RNAi effective and Fast generation time.

Answer 5

Yeast

Question 6

Excellent genetics and hermaphrodites/self-fertilization.

Answer 6

C. elegans

Question 7

Limitation is
1. Limited external morphology
2. Less similar to human
3. Some embryological manipulations difficult.

Answer 7

C. elegans

Question 8

Few cells: 959 cells and lineages known.

Answer 8

C. elegans

Question 9

Morphology fully characterized.

Answer 9

C. elegans

Question 10

Simplest vertebrae.

Answer 10

Zebra fish

Question 11

Good genetics and Transparent embryos

Answer 11

Zebra fish

Question 12

Embryo manipulation possible.

Answer 12

Zebra fish

Question 13

Rapid vertebrate development.

Answer 13

Zebra fish

Question 14

Limitation is
1. Not yet trivial to clone genes
2. Transgenic not trivial
3. No targeted gene disruption

Answer 14

Zebra fish

Question 15

Universal model plant and small size.

Answer 15

Thale cress

Question 16

Relatively short life cycle.

Answer 16

Thale cress

Question 17

Small, sequenced genome.

Answer 17

Thale cress

Question 18

Transformed easily transgenics.

Answer 18

Thale cress

Question 19

Limitation is embryological manipulations non trivial.

Answer 19

Thale cress

Question 20

Availability, low cost, accessibility , outside of mother.

Answer 20

Chick embryo

Question 21

Great for embryological manipulation; transplants of tissue.

Answer 21

Chick embryo

Question 22

Easily transfected by avian retroviruses.

Answer 22

Chick embryo

Question 23

Limitation is
1. Limited genetics
2. Genome sequenced

Answer 23

Chick embryo

Question 24

Mammals, brains similar to human, all homologous areas/cell types.

Answer 24

Mouse

Question 25

“Reverse” genetics: targeted KOs

Answer 25

Mouse

Question 26

Developmental overview same as for all mammals.

Answer 26

Mouse

Question 27

Large mutant collection.

Answer 27

Chick embryo

Question 28

Construction of chimeric embryos possible.

Answer 28

Mouse

Question 29

Availability of material at all stages.

Answer 29

Mouse

Question 30

Source of primary cells for culture.

Answer 30

Mouse